. I happen to like the fact our cars don’t bring much attention. This way we are not concerned of any malicious damage you might get with a Benz 500 or BMW 7 series. Piece of mind!!!

 

Not to mention a "boring" silver sedan is almost invisible to cops. I have a long freeway commute and regularly cruise at 70-80 along with traffic and never seem to get a second look from CHP and that's just fine by me.

Long ago I stopped caring what anyone thinks of what I drive. When I retire 10 years before they do, not needing the latest new car, it won't be so funny. Not to mention most of their new cars don't have heated and cooled seats, rear heated seats, ample leg room plus all the other luxuries that new car makers seem to only be introducing (luxury brands excluded)

 

I just turned 24 and I’ll be rockin my 430 for hopefully another 5-10 years. While everyone I graduated college with is out financing Audi’s and Bimmers I’m out here with my geriatric land yacht and loving every second.

 

It's not so much what others think, but being aware I suppose. For example, I used to hate Oakley, for that reason. Why do I have to be cool and wear overpriced sunglasses? I'll keep wearing Ray Ban knock offs. But because of health care I started maxing out FSA (risk averse position). When I had unspent monies, the easiest way to use it is prescription sunglasses. Then, I discovered Oakley and how Lexus-like their customer service is. On one pair, I have had the lenses replaced 4X no questions asked. I stepped it up another level and got Maui Jim's. I don't want to make myself like look like an idiot but some of their stuff is pushing 4 figures. When I had a warranty issue with them? Not only a million questions but that's not a defect. So for myself, I have to be careful and not go to the extreme where I don't want to know what mainstream is thinking, I do. Just don't feel the need to follow. Like clothing with that whale on it? I would never wear it, it goes in the drawer lol

edit Oh and on retirement, it makes me a bit irritated but doing everything right there does not lead to it happening any sooner. It only leads to having no income but living a lifestyle almost like today. And I'm old enough to have a regular pension--ain't ashamed to say it. I started working 4 mos. before it was 401k only. Is it $6500 like my neighbor? hahaha remove the 6 and maybe add $400. But at least it's better than nothing.

If you don't max out your 401k every year, and contribute to a ROTH IRA if not phased out, two bits of advice--figure out why. If it's because you don't want to, reconsider. If it's because you can't afford it, considering increasing your gross salary.

 

Even in new top models of the usual luxury brands it’s rare to find actual cooled seats - most are just ventilated. Don’t get me started with BMW... on the brand new 8 Series, the thigh support that extend are manually adjusted. On my 2002 5 series they were electric.

 

The 2004 LS430 UL has actual cooled (not ventilated) front and rear seats!